AFC West Preview (In Predicted Order Of Finish)
The
AFC West has been utterly whacky for a few seasons now and this
year should be no different. A highly volatile pack of teams
has just about everyone in the hunt in a division that posted 3
teams to the playoffs a season ago! The Raiders and coach Walt
Sienzant, who have slowly improved each year, could be the team
to beat this year if, and that is a big if indeed, QB Mitch
Tribusky can play a bit better than his ratings suggest. They
have firepower in the backfield with Marlon Mack and Latavius
Murray although neither is a major pass catching weapon.
However, the Raiders clearly have the best receiving posse in
the division. Amari Cooper, AJ Brown, DeVante Parker, and
Anthony Miller form one of the most potent pass catching
foursomes in the league. In addition, the Silver and Black
Attack have the luxury of two very good tight end targets in
Austin Hooper and Mike Gesicki! The offensive line should stay
healthy and be consistent and can pass protect.
DE
Josh Allen will lead a pretty good defensive line that is
diverse. Devon Kinnard is a good Line-backer and this unit is at
least average while it does possess some pass rushing
potentials. S Minkah Fitzpatrick is as good as it gets and CB
Jalen Ramsey can play but there are some health concerns in the
back line.
This
may seem amazing but here are the Denver Broncos! One of the
most beleaguered franchises in the PAFL is led by coach Howard
Berkert and this gang of horses looks like it could contend in
the West. Young, and quickly developing, quarterback Josh Allen
is, no pun intended, at the reins and he has a bruiser of a back
in Nick Chub to hand the rock to as well as an excellent third
down back named Tarik Cohen. Chubb is in the mold of Derrick
Henry tipping the scales at 5’11” 227 lbs while Cohen is a scat
back with a tank body at just 5’6” but a stout 191lbs! Tight
end Darren Waller is an elite player and, if the bevy of
receivers paced by Diontae Johnson and veteran slot receiver
Cole Beasely can find ways to make some noise, this group might
just get the team to the playoffs. A major concern will be the
health, or lack of it, along the offensive line and how that
plays out will go a long way in determining the final status of
the Broncos.
The defensive line should be ok but not great. DE Trent Murphy
is probably the best here. A serious worry has to be at the
critical line-backing spots where the team lacks talent.
Veteran Chris Harris will take charge of a secondary that is
also average.
Man
oh man, this is tough. Seattle , like most of this division,
has enough good pieces to win the thing but also enough holes to
finish last. QB Russell Wilson has been a steady and very good
presence in Seattle since day 1 and remains so. But, can RB
Adrian Peterson and dynamic Raheem Mostert get it done? As a
tandem they should be fine but both are simply zero factors in
the passing game. That means WRs Mike Evans and Nelson Amendola
are going to have to shoulder a big load this year. TE Darren
Fells is capable but lacks consistent ability to be a 4-5 pass
receptions per game target. The offensive line is, in all
likelihood, below average although it can pass protect pretty
well.
The
Niners and coach Todd Cichon are another team that could place
anywhere from first to last. Ryan Fitzpatrick will run the show
and Fitzmagic’s year is going to be the main factor for San
Francisco. The backfield has some skill but is injury prone and
that will be a huge detriment as the year progresses. RB Jamaal
Williams is the top ball carrier they have. Odell Beckham and DK
Metcalf are solid at WR but the team has little else to go to. T
Bradon Smith and G Trae Turner head up an Oline that has some
potential but is also weak at RT and C.
DE Danielle Hunter is a beast that teams will need to contend
with. The OLB position is unsettled with Terrell Suggs slated to
play there or at DE. Marlon Humphrey is one of the best corners
in football and he has two other decent CBs with Kevin King and
Ronald Darby but both of those are injury worries. Still, when
all three are healthy, they can match up with most of the spread
attacks in the division. S Kevin Byard increases in value if he
used up in the box and fellow S Micah Hyde is slightly above
average.
The
Kansas City Chiefs are under the new leadership of coach Robert
Baker as long time league mentor Robert Parrish is no longer at
the helm. Baker inherits a very good young QB in Kyler Murray
but he will have to get some mileage out of backs Austin Ekeler
and Royce Freeman. Ekeler is a dual threat and is among the
very best receiving backs in all of football. The team lacks any
real wide receivers on the team with tight end Hunter Henry the
top weapon. The absence of targets is likely going to spell long
term doom for this team. The offensive line is not great but at
least it should remain relatively healthy and consistent.
The KC front seven is woefully lacking. The defensive line
might rate among the weakest in football aside from DE JJ Watt
but he will miss time for sure. The line-backing is not good as
well with Corey Littlelton the best they have on roster. Even
the secondary has serious flaws and worries.
Final Analysis: This division had 3 teams make it to the
playoffs last season and it is possible again this year. But,
The AFC East and Central have enough good teams that it is
wholly possible that only the division winner will make it to
the post-season. Oakland has the most toys but are just
vulnerable enough where they could be beaten but time will tell.
Wrap up
Ok..here we go..
In playoffs: Dallas, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Los Angeles,
Carolina, and Chicago...
NFC Finals: Los Angeles and either Green Bay or Philly
Over in the AFC
In Playoffs: New England, Buffalo, Cleveland, Indianapolis,
Oakland, and Cleveland.
AFC Finals: Patriots vs Colts or Bills!
Super Bowl winner?????
Rams once again but in an exciting final vs Pats or Bills.
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